Thanks for the advice. I've got a clipping form the London Gazette, 24 August 1944 but it just a list of names for gallant and distinguished service in Italy. The MD was because of his work recovering bodies from the harbour following the German air-raid on Bari Harbour and the blowing up of the USs John Harvey which was carrying mustard gas. All the troops were sworn to secrecy, and it remained a state secret until an American blew the whistle in the 70's.